Hi guys,

I've got an issue with my 2006 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec Climate.

About a month ago I was driving in the rain when the engine started spluttering and misfiring. Every time I would put my foot down the engine light would start flashing and when I release it would stop.

I had a look on line and found it could be a water issue in the spark plug wells, so I had a look and sure enough there was water in there. I soaked it all up and the car was driving fine. This issue has been on and off for sometime now and I'm struggling to find a long term solution. Is there anyway I can stop water from sitting in that little well because it is so annoying!

I'm going to service my car now and change the spark plugs and before I put the new plugs in I want to make sure this water issue doesn't happen again. Is there some sort of cover I can put on or even make for the water or do I need to block something up? I'm really confused and stressed out.

Is this really common? :(

Thanks in advance people. :)

Does your engine not have a cover/airbox over the top of it?

the plugs should have a rubber surround on them stopping water ingress, what colour is the water?

Does your engine not have a cover/airbox over the top of it?

the plugs should have a rubber surround on them stopping water ingress, what colour is the water?

Yeah the engine has a cover, but the water somehow manages to get through.

The last time I checked the water was pink. That was two weeks ago, I'm going to check again this week, I've just been really busy with work.

I was wondering though, if the water that leaks is indeed washer fluid and because my car misfires should I also replace the coil and leads? Or just the plugs.

If it's pink it's probably coolant. A leaking core plug

Yes i think so too. I removed a plug today to have a look at it and it was dripping with the coloured water. It seemed to have rusted a little too. Im sure the water isnt coming out of the washer jets now too because they've been sealed up.

Are core plugs the same as spark plugs and are they easy to replace.

Cheers

Not sure if they updated this on the mk6.5 but it used to be really common on the mk6 for the washer jets to leak and that was what was causing the same problem for me

This is because the standard washer jets didn't come withe a rubber seal between the plastic jet and the bonnet

Don't ask me how but when using the jets, they would leak onto the air box and somehow find their way into the spark plug wells

Might be something different in your case but worth having a look at

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC

Did you ever get this fixed?? I'm have the same problem with my 2010 Ford Transit Connect. I was told to go for a water intrusion diagnostic. I am going in the next 3 weeks. Jan 19 2026

Diagnostic – water intrusion issue
Repeated fresh water collecting in the spark plug tubes, affecting cylinders 1, 2, and 3, occurring after heavy rain and car washes. This has happened more than once.

Spark plugs and coils were previously replaced and sealant applied, but the issue returned. This points to an external water leak, not an internal engine problem.

Requesting a water intrusion diagnosis, including inspection of the windshield cowl panel and drains, hood-to-cowl weather seal, and upper firewall / windshield area.

This is a known weak area on Transit Connects, and is important to know where the source of the water is coming from rather than replacing ignition parts again.